Africa4Palestine, a human rights organization, has accepted former Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng’s reluctant apology for making pro-Israel comments that landed him in hot water.
The apology was given just hours before the Judicial Conduct Committee’s 10-day deadline on Thursday, February 3, 2022.
He had previously stated that he would never apologize for his remarks, which he made during a webinar organized by The Jerusalem Post in 2020, while he was still the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.
Reacting to his apology, Africa4Palestine says it is a victory for Palestinian activists.
“The apology is even more significant given that he was compelled. He was forced, kicking and screaming to the apology table. We see this as a victory over fanaticism and ego. We see this as a victory for the rule of law and an indication of the strength of our judiciary. It is a landmark apology which shows that even the Chief Justice is not above the law. It is a good day for the South African judiciary.”
Africa4Palestine
During the webinar, the former CJ lamented South Africa’s current stance on the Israel-Palestine matter and called for a more balanced approach, to enable greater change in the debate.
“The forgiveness that was demonstrated, the understanding and big heart displayed by President Nelson Mandela and we, the people of South Africa, is an asset we must use around the world to bring peace when there is no peace and to mediate effectively based on rich experience”, he said.
The remark was met with backlash and he was reported to the Judicial Conduct Committee, which found him guilty and ordered him to apologise.
He challenged the ruling with the Judicial Conduct Appeals Committee – which ruled against him – finding that Mogoeng breached the Judicial Code of Conduct by involving himself in matters that caused political controversy.